Tellico Village and The Villages at Norris Lake (Knoxville, Chattanooga: travel, rent)

[Tek_Freek]

We are still looking at Tennessee and are wondering if anyone has info about Tellico Village east of Louden, and The Villages at Norris Lake which is close to LaFollette. I have done extensive research on each area on the Internet, but first-hand opinion is always better in my opinion.

Appreciate any information,

Thanks

Roger

[Mr. Bighead]

See this thread for my opinion on the Lafollote area:
La Follette;Jacksboro;Caryville Info Sources?

I've only been to the Tellico area once, and that was when I got lost. The locals didn't seem particularly slack-jawed. It seemed like a nice rural area, though I didn't see much evidence of an economy. It's real close to Cherokee National Forest. Even knowing as little as I do about it, I would definately choose Tellico over Lafollote. Tellico can't be that bad.

[kthomps2]

My in-laws moved to Tellico Village last year and say they love it. They were particularly struck by the friendliness of the people in the area. If we weren't looking at the Girls Prep School in Chattanooga for our daughter, we'd probably be looking there for a home. Is there anything in particular you'd like for me to ask my in-laws about the area?

[Tek_Freek]

For us it's suitablility for retirement. A good library within a decent distance. Good meaning large enough to have more sections than fiction, non-fiction, and childrens (Crossville). Restaurants, access to plays, symphonies, arts, etc without having to drive an hour. Good shopping, intelligent liquor laws (can I actually buy the makings for a margarita closer than 30 miles away?), friendly people, good medical, low crime rate, etc.

In other words, all the usual stuff.

Thanks.

[kthomps2]

Haven't forgotten about you, Roger. I sent an e-mail to my relatives, but they haven't responded. I can tell you they're retired, love to read and enjoy a good martini. They also travel a lot, so I can't tell you where they're getting the books or the booze. I'll let you know when (if) they respond. Kathryn

[Tek_Freek]

Appreciate the update

[Mt-Man]

Tek_Freek --- I live on Norris Lake and am also familiar with Tellico Village. Both are a good hour from down-town Knoxville, and the concerts you mentioned. The Villages at Norris Lake are brand new, at the site of the former Rainbow Marina. You are a long way from civilization, things such as "good" grocery stores, "good" restaurants. LaFollette just recently got approval to allow restaurants to serve liquor; hopefully Ruby Tuesday's or others will now come in. Tellico Village is very built up, which can give a "busy" appearance, but there are lots of amenities. Neither Tellico nor LaFollette has a good, modern theatre; you have to go to Knoxville or Oak Ridge. Now there is a real drawback in living in the LaFollette area: you can't get any craftsmen to come out and to any thing on your house, grounds, etc. It is all just the locals, who work only when they are not busy fishing or hunting. They will say they will come out, and never show up, nor never call. Lafolette is way too far from any big city to get any contractors to come up here. No good golf courses anywhere near LaFollette; several good ones near Tellico. Norris Lake is very clean, far cleaner than Tellico, but there is no lock around the dam. On Tellico, you can get all the way to New Orleans if you wish. IMHO, I would choose Tellico over Norris any day, unless your all-consuming passion is fishing; then, Norris Lake wins, hands down!

[Tek_Freek]

Looks like our biggest concern would be distance. Yard work is not a problem, and I can fix or build pretty much anything, including a house.

As an example, we took a bus tour to Chicago last week to see the Tut exhibit, take an architectural tour of downtown from the river, and see Wicked. We were scheduled to leave early Monday and discovered about 5:00p Sunday that we had water in the basement. Had terrific amounts of rain all day and the sump pump decided to die. We had the new one in and running in less than an hour, including two trips to Menards/Lowes. This is the distance problem. We live within 5 minutes of a Lowes, Menards, and Home Depot in addition to every conceivable kind of store and restaurant you could ever want. That change is going to be the culture shock for us.

I did notice that the distance from Tellico to the west end of Knoxville where that big new mall is being (finished) built is not too bad. For the number of times we go to the theater, etc. it would end up being a "special" trip.

We are planning on taking up Eric Estrada (sp?) on his offer next spring and let them fly us down to Tellico and take the tour. Instead of flying back at the end we're going to rent a car and go up to Norris Lake, then use some of our airline miles to fly home. This will also give us some time to look at Knoxville more closely.

Again, thanks. If you think of any other areas close to Knoxville we'd appreciate knowing about them, too.

[cubsfan]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

Looks like our biggest concern would be distance. Yard work is not a problem, and I can fix or build pretty much anything, including a house.

As an example, we took a bus tour to Chicago last week to see the Tut exhibit, take an architectural tour of downtown from the river, and see Wicked. We were scheduled to leave early Monday and discovered about 5:00p Sunday that we had water in the basement. Had terrific amounts of rain all day and the sump pump decided to die. We had the new one in and running in less than an hour, including two trips to Menards/Lowes. This is the distance problem. We live within 5 minutes of a Lowes, Menards, and Home Depot in addition to every conceivable kind of store and restaurant you could ever want. That change is going to be the culture shock for us.

.

I really don't mean to be rude, but if these things are so important to you, why do you want to move away from them. Those things are basically meaningless to me, but if I want to see those things, I can go on a weekend. Maybe you should reconsider moving.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

Looks like our biggest concern would be distance. Yard work is not a problem, and I can fix or build pretty much anything, including a house.

As an example, we took a bus tour to Chicago last week to see the Tut exhibit, take an architectural tour of downtown from the river, and see Wicked. We were scheduled to leave early Monday and discovered about 5:00p Sunday that we had water in the basement. Had terrific amounts of rain all day and the sump pump decided to die. We had the new one in and running in less than an hour, including two trips to Menards/Lowes. This is the distance problem. We live within 5 minutes of a Lowes, Menards, and Home Depot in addition to every conceivable kind of store and restaurant you could ever want. That change is going to be the culture shock for us.

I did notice that the distance from Tellico to the west end of Knoxville where that big new mall is being (finished) built is not too bad. For the number of times we go to the theater, etc. it would end up being a "special" trip.

We are planning on taking up Eric Estrada (sp?) on his offer next spring and let them fly us down to Tellico and take the tour. Instead of flying back at the end we're going to rent a car and go up to Norris Lake, then use some of our airline miles to fly home. This will also give us some time to look at Knoxville more closely.

Again, thanks. If you think of any other areas close to Knoxville we'd appreciate knowing about them, too.

Where would that new mall be located? Unless you are speaking of the Colonial Pinnacle at Turkey Creek shopping center?

Erik Estrada? The company that runs Tellico Village pays him well to talk about Tellico Village and other company-run properties around the United States. Estrada doesn't reside in Tennessee. I wouldn't call them to take the offer to fly us to anywhere.

As for the shopping choices, you would need to drive further to Loudon (city), Le Noir City, Maryville/Alcoa, Madisonville, Farragut/western Knoxville, Oak Ridge, etc. There aren't many stores to choose unless if you are in Maryville/Alcoa, Farragut/western Knoxville and Oak Ridge.
I would advise for those wanting to live in the Village to pay attention to what the Loudon County government is wanting/trying to do that would affect growth in the Village and elsewhere in the county. My second cousin, Doyle Arp recently was elected as a mayor of Loudon County.